S8 Ep587: 4. Joseph Ellis, *The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773 to 1783*. Thomas Paine’s *Common Sense* revolutionized the rebellion by using plain language to argue that an island could not rule a continent and that monarchies were inheren
The John Batchelor Show
John Batchelor
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🗓️ 16 March 2026
⏱️ 11 minutes
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Summary
4. Joseph Ellis, *The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773 to 1783*. Thomas Paine’s *Common Sense* revolutionized the rebellion by using plain language to argue that an island could not rule a continent and that monarchies were inherently flawed. Paine shifted the movement's focus from the rights of Englishmen to the natural rights of all human beings, making American victory seem inevitable. However, the harsh reality of war was felt at Valley Forge, where George Washington’s army faced starvation and exposure due to a lack of congressional support. During that brutal winter, approximately 1,200 soldiers died of malnutrition and exposure, testing the endurance of those who "stayed the course". (4)
1865 PARIS
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| 0:00.0 | This podcast is sponsored by cello cheese. |
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| 0:06.7 | It's an experience. |
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| 0:18.6 | This is TV, I'm The World. |
| 0:20.3 | I'm John Batchelwood, Professor Joseph Ellis, whose new book is The Cause, the American Revolution and its discontents. |
| 0:26.5 | The emphasis on the discontents, because everyone involved in the rebellion, so-called by the London side, |
| 0:34.1 | the cause by the American side, has other opinions than what's happening in front of |
| 0:39.5 | them. |
| 0:40.2 | Washington's opinion is that this is a collective endeavor that needs discipline and a Congress |
| 0:47.3 | that supports it. |
| 0:48.7 | Congress has other ideas when it meets, and chiefly not to fund the army, but to count on the militia, what the professor calls |
| 0:56.4 | the myth of the militia. |
| 0:58.2 | It is now Valley Forge, a place I'm very familiar with, having been a voice set on Valley Forge |
| 1:03.9 | many times. |
| 1:04.6 | I recommend everyone to visit to imagine how cold it was, 7778. |
| 1:19.6 | Professor, I come to Valley Forge freshly because now I see that Congress did not share Washington's opinion. The British have camped in Philadelphia. |
| 1:22.6 | Don't bother to attack Washington. |
| 1:25.6 | Washington's soldiers, what's left of the Continental Army, |
| 1:29.2 | are without food, without blankets, without hope at all. Washington calls on Nathaniel Green again. |
| 1:36.0 | How does Green help him? |
| 1:38.7 | Green takes over the responsibility for the Quartermaster Corps. There's nobody to do the job. |
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